Drug Testing Locations - Ordway, CO

Drug Testing in Ordway, CO

Ordway, Colorado Statistics

In Ordway, CO, Crowley County has reported a significant increase in opioid-related deaths in the last five years.

Crowley County, including Ordway, saw a 15% increase in methamphetamine use incidents in the past year.

Police in Ordway, CO, responded to over 100 drug-related incidents in 2022 as reported by the local department.

According to Crowley County health officials, drug overdose hospitalizations increased by 10% in 2023.

Surveys in Ordway, CO, reveal that over 25% of teens have experimented with illicit drugs.

How does the body eliminate Drugs

Drug elimination is the sum of the processes of removing an administered drug from the body. In the pharmacokinetic ADME scheme (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), it is frequently considered to encompass both metabolism and excretion. Hydrophobic drugs, to be excreted, must undergo metabolic modification making them more polar. Hydrophilic drugs, on the other hand, can undergo excretion directly, without the need for metabolic changes to their molecular structures.

Although many sites of metabolism and excretion exist, the chief organ of metabolism is the liver, while the organ primarily tasked with excretion is the kidney. Any significant dysfunction in either organ can result in the accumulation of the drug or its metabolites in toxic concentrations.

A variety of other factors impact elimination — intrinsic drug properties, such as polarity, size, or pKa. Also other factors include genetic variation among individuals, disease states affecting other organs, and pathways involved in the way the drug distributes through the body, such as first-pass metabolism.

Issues of Concern

Drug elimination is the removal of an administered drug from the body. It is accomplished in two ways, either by excretion of an unmetabolized drug in its intact form or by metabolic biotransformation followed by excretion. While excretion is primarily carried out by the kidneys, other organ systems are involved as well. Similarly, the liver is the primary site of biotransformation, yet extrahepatic metabolism takes place in a variety of organ systems affecting multiple drugs.

Given the multiple organ systems and the variety of metabolic transformations present, drug elimination can entail a significant degree of complexity. Hydrophilic drugs are typically directly excreted by the kidneys, while hydrophobic drugs undergo biotransformation before excretion. The purpose here is twofold – biotransformation serves both detoxify the exogenous substances as well as to increase their hydrophilicity, ensuring their elimination via the kidneys.

Two broad metabolic pathways of hepatic drug transformation exist. Phase I is the direct modification of the target molecule, whereas phase II entails conjugation of the target to a polar molecule of low molecular weight. Phase I prepare the drug to enter phase II, but single-phase metabolism also exists.

Phase I involves oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis of the exogenous molecule. These reactions are accomplished by hepatic microsomal enzymes, which reside in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatocytes. Best known among them is the cytochrome P450 system, whose enzymes are predominantly involved in oxidative metabolism. Within the cytochrome P450 family (CYP), the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of more than 50% of existing drugs is the CYP3A4. Its activity encompasses various classes of medications, including opioids, immunosuppressants, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines. The enzymes can also be induced or inhibited by a variety of substances they interact with, including pharmaceuticals. The increase in metabolic activity with CYP induction results in a diminished activity of drugs targeted by that particular isoform. Conversely, CYP inhibition will result in increased drug plasma concentration, potentially leading toxicity. The CYP3A4 is induced by phenytoin, phenobarbital, and St. John's wort, while diltiazem, erythromycin, and grapefruit inhibit it. Caution is, therefore, necessary when administering CYP3A4-metabolized drugs in the presence of any of the inhibitors or inducers.

Phase II consists of covalent bonding of polar groups to nonpolar molecules to render them water-soluble and allow renal or biliary excretion. Target molecules enter phase II directly or via initial processing through phase I. A variety of polar adjuncts is transferred, including amino acids, glucuronic acid, glutathione, acetate, and sulfate. Glucuronidation is one of the major pathways of phase II biotransformation. The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzyme family performs this activity. Typically, glucuronide derivatives possess less or no activity of the original drug, but in some cases, pharmacologically active compounds result. Morphine-6-glucuronide is a phase II metabolite of morphine with significant analgesic activity. As with the CYP enzymes, inducers, and inhibitors of phase II, enzymes exist and may influence the efficacy of drugs that rely on conjugation before excretion.

The first-pass effect is a feature of hepatic metabolism that also plays a role in the elimination of multiple drugs. Here, the enteric consumed drugs are exposed directly to the liver via the portal vein, where they undergo biotransformation before entering the systemic circulation. This activity reduces the bioavailability and needs to be factored into the dose administered to the patient. Intravenously administered drugs are not subject to the first-pass effect.

Extrahepatic drug metabolism takes place in the GI tract, kidneys, lungs, plasma, and skin.

Renal excretion completes the process of elimination that begins in the liver. Polar drugs or their metabolites get filtered in the kidneys and typically do not undergo reabsorption. They subsequently get excreted in the urine. Urinary pH has a significant impact on excretion, as drug ionization changes depending on the alkaline or acidic environment. Increased excretion occurs with weakly acidic drugs in basic urine and weakly basic drugs in acidic urine.

Excretion in the bile is another significant form of drug elimination. The liver can actively secrete ionized drugs with a molecular weight greater than 300 g/mol into bile, from where they reach the digestive tract and are either eliminated in feces or reabsorbed as part of the enterohepatic cycle.

Other pathways of excretion include the lungs, breast milk, sweat, saliva, and tears

Employers in Ordway, CO & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Ordway, CO, are increasingly implementing stringent drug testing policies to ensure a safe and productive work environment. Many local businesses adhere to guidelines provided by federal entities such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to conduct pre-employment drug testing. Some employers also perform random drug tests to deter substance use among employees.

In line with state directives, various business sectors have adopted comprehensive rehabilitation policies for employees who may face drug-related challenges. These policies often involve referrals to treatment programs, aligning with state-provided resources. Such programs are supported by the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Ordway, CO

The government in Ordway, CO, along with Crowley County authorities, has been actively working to tackle the drug problem in the area. Initiatives include increased funding for rehabilitation centers and educational programs aimed at preventing drug use among the youth. Enhanced collaboration between the town's law enforcement agencies and state-level entities like the Colorado Department of Human Services aims to better address the underlying causes of drug abuse.

The introduction of community outreach programs by local government officials, such as 'Safe Streets', also seeks to create a safer environment. These initiatives, supported by state agencies such as Colorado Department of Public Safety, focus on drug education and community engagement, hoping to reduce drug-related crime and addiction rates effectively.

Local Drug Busts & News in Ordway, CO

Law enforcement in Ordway, CO has been actively participating in efforts to curb drug-related activities within the community. Several major drug busts have taken place over the past years, indicating a tightening grip on illegal drug distribution in the area. In one significant operation in 2023, Ordway police seized large quantities of methamphetamine, leading to the arrest of multiple suspects involved in a local drug ring.

Community events aimed at raising awareness and preventing drug abuse continue to feature prominently in Ordway. Annual events like 'Ordway Against Drugs' involve partnerships with local schools and organizations to educate the public about the dangers of drug use. These efforts highlight the community's proactive stance in battling the ongoing drug crisis.

Occupational Health Services

Accredited Drug Testing offers fast, reliable employment screening services in Ordway, CO. Trusted by employers nationwide for accurate results and exceptional service.

Colorado DOT/Non DOT Physicals

Colorado Vision Tests

Colorado Audiograms

Colorado Respirator Fit Tests

Colorado Lift Tests

Colorado Background Checks

Clinical Testing Services

TB Testing in CO

Diabetes Testing in CO

Infectious Disease Testing in CO

Sickle Cell Anemia Testing in CO

Women/Men's Health Testing in CO

Resources & Citations

Colorado Springs Police Department Drug Abuse Resources

Crowley County Official Website

Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment

Colorado Attorney General: Substance Use Prevention

Colorado Division of Behavioral Health

Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners

Shrink Solutions, Pueblo

Drug Testing Near Ordway, CO

North La Junta, CO

La Junta Gardens, CO

Hawley, CO

Fowler, CO

Swink, CO

Cheraw, CO

Rocky Ford, CO

Olney Springs, CO

Manzanola, CO

Crowley, CO

Sugar City, CO

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews